Prison time served but now Virginia DOC and parole officer is destroying the ex convicts life

Question

I know some one who has served out their prison time. Now that the person is out, the Virginia DOC and parole officer is destroying this person's life. Now the DOC and parole officer does not want to obey the orders of the Judge and wants to do eveything their way. For example, the (ex convict) person needs to work 40 hrs. plus or goes back to prison, the (ex convict) person probation is 2 yrs but now the parole officer changed it to 2 1/2 yrs to 3 yrs because according to the DOC and parole officer, its what they want and not what the Judge's order is. I think this is unlawful and that an attorney needs to be called in because its a violation of the ex convicts rights and that the DOC and parole people don't want to obey the Judge's orders.

Is it right what the DOC and parole officer is doing? Aren't they suppose to follow the Judge's orders? Is there anything that can be done to help out the ex convict who just got out and served their time? Please let me know, I want to help this individual out.

Thanks for your feedback.

Answer 1

I can't say for sure what the laws are in Virgina.  It doesn't sound right to me, but you should probably contact the Indigent Board.  If they can't give you free advice, you can either contact an attorney in your area who will give you a free phone consultation, or look up the number to the Bar Association.

I would stay anonymous, though.  This sounds like a sticky situation, and no matter how you handle it, a lot of trouble could be made for the person you are trying to help.  For example, the DOC and parole officer could retalliate by trumping up charges against the person.  I'm not saying that they are dirty, (OR that they would do it), but they COULD feel slighted and plant some kind of evidence ... heck, I don't think they even need an excuse - or to plant evidence - to make him (or her) look guilty.  The system will usually choose to believe the individuals working for it over an ex-con!

Stay anonymous.  But DO check into it.  If you have to, call from a pay phone so their caller id can't trace it back to you.  If you need to keep in contact, change what phones you use, and what times you call.  Change locations, make calls from different cities you might visit, etc.  Get all of your ducks in a row before making a definite move.  I know it might sound like high espionage ... but you never know!

And, by all means ... tell the person to hang on and not do anything rash!  Let them know that anything negative they might do in the moment could hurt them in the long run!  He (or she) does NOT want to make enemies of someone who could hurt them.  They hold power over this individual ... and for now, they are wielding it!  DANGEROUS people to mess with!

I'm with you on this one.  A person who has served his or her time for his or her crime has (supposedly) paid his or her debt to society.  Which means that the person who returns into society is - according to the laws of our country - is the same individial he or she was beFORE he or she (allegedly) committed that crime!